Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old church member in connection with the kidnapping of two Catholic priests.

The Command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Suleiman Yahaya-Nguroje, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday. He revealed that the victims—Reverend Fathers Abraham Samman of the Catholic Diocese of Yola and Mathew David Dusam of the Jalingo Diocese—were rescued unharmed after police operatives stormed a criminal hideout.

According to Yahaya-Nguroje, the suspect was apprehended in Gweda Mallam village, a border community between Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas of Adamawa State. He was found with a locally fabricated gun, a mobile phone, and a SIM card. The kidnapped priests were discovered tied up at the location.

He noted that the operation was carried out following a tip-off, prompting officers to embark on a rescue mission across criminal hideouts in the state. The spokesman emphasized that no ransom was paid to secure the priests’ release.

“The success of this operation is a result of the renewed action plan introduced by the Commissioner of Police, CP Morris Dankwbo, which has strengthened efforts in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state,” Yahaya-Nguroje stated.

Following their rescue, the two priests were taken to a medical facility for treatment, while the suspect remains in police custody for further investigations and prosecution.

Expressing gratitude for the support received from the state government, security agencies, and members of the public, CP Dankwbo urged residents to remain vigilant and continue assisting law enforcement agencies in combating crime.

The Adamawa State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, calling for sustained collaboration in the fight against criminal elements.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a stern warning to politicians embezzling local government funds, vowing that they will not be spared by the anti-graft agency.

Olukoyede made this declaration on Wednesday while addressing activists, traditional rulers, and local government officials at the Gombe State Local Government Summit in the North-East state.

His remarks come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that granted full financial autonomy to local governments, ensuring direct allocation of funds to the third tier of government. He urged the 774 local government chairmen across Nigeria to utilize the increased financial inflow for strategic developmental projects that will benefit their communities.

“Even though you may have financial autonomy, you must also remember that you don’t have constitutional immunity,” Olukoyede stated. “The application of your resources will be strictly monitored, not only by anti-corruption agencies but also by the state government. It is in the interest of the state government to ensure that local government funds are responsibly and judiciously utilized for developmental projects.”

The EFCC chairman emphasized the need for local government officials to embrace transparency and accountability, noting that effective governance at the grassroots level depends on adherence to financial regulations and public finance management principles.

He further called for the proper functioning of the legislative arm of local governments, lamenting that many council lawmakers fail to carry out their duties. “We have observed that in several areas, the legislative units of the local governments neither sit nor work as required,” he said.

Olukoyede stressed that without a proper system of checks and balances, local government chairmen would continue to act as sole administrators, a situation he described as detrimental to due process and accountability.

“You are not sole administrators; you are local government chairmen,” he reminded them. “To build an accountable system at the local level, we must start with ensuring that council leaders are in tune with laws governing public finance and that they comply fully.”

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre following his arraignment before the Ifo Magistrate Court on charges of assault, conspiracy, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The embattled monarch appeared before the court on Tuesday to face a three-count charge filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force, stemming from a viral video that allegedly captured him verbally and physically assaulting an elderly chief in his community, Areola Abraham.

In the widely circulated footage, Oba Ogunjobi was seen berating Chief Abraham, accusing him of conspiracy and issuing threats. The disturbing nature of the video sparked public outrage, prompting law enforcement agencies to take legal action against the suspended ruler.

During the court proceedings, Oba Ogunjobi pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, the presiding magistrate set his bail at ₦5 million, with stringent conditions requiring two sureties, each expected to deposit an additional ₦5 million.

Unable to meet the bail conditions, the traditional ruler was subsequently remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre pending further court hearings.

The case has been adjourned to March 6, allowing both the prosecution and defence time to prepare their arguments.

Legal Reactions and Community Tensions

The remand of the traditional ruler has generated mixed reactions within the Orile Ifo community. While some residents have expressed support for the legal process, others believe the incident should have been resolved through traditional channels.

Meanwhile, legal analysts suggest that the stringent bail conditions reflect the seriousness of the charges against Oba Ogunjobi, emphasizing that the judiciary is keen on ensuring justice is served without interference.